Cable reel



L. W. NACK CABLE REEL Sept. 4, 1934.

Filed Jul 9, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 4, 1934. w NACK 1,972,572

CABLE REEL Filed July 9, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z60 'PLUV'acK;

Sept. 4, 1934. w c 1,972,572

CABLE REEL Filed July 9, 1931 :5 Sheets-Sheet :5

Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to cable reels, and more particularly to reels for coiling cables and other heavy materials.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a fabricated reel which is simple and rigid in construction, economical of manufacture, and particularly efllcient for holding heavy cable and protecting the same against damage while the reel is subject to rough handling such as it frequently receives.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reel of the character above described which may be readily disassembled and reassembled, and which requires for its manufacture only standard structural steel parts and does not require the use of special tools or dies in forming those parts. As a result, not only is the original cost of the reel reduced but it also is possible to quickly, and at little cost, replace any part that .nay have become lost during the shipment or .torage of the disassembled reel.

One of the features of the present invention lies in my improved manner of holding the lag bars in place in a reel which may be readily assembled and disassembled. The lag bars are, in the main,

.free of any special formations at their ends for holding them in place. The lag bars rest upon the heads of the reel and are held in place by angle iron rims wherein one side of the angle holds the bar against movement longitudinally of the reel and the other side of the angle holds the bar against outward withdrawal.

I have invented a novel and improved manner of mounting this angle iron lag-holding rim. In the first place I arrange this rim in the form of a discontinuous ring comprising a number of arouate shaped angles, as distinguished from one continuous angle bar of the past. In the second place my angle sections are mounted in place by bolts which extend radially of the outer edge of the flange, rather than longitudinally thereof. This means that the side of the angle which sustains the load is the side which is bolted in place. In those prior constructions which employed an angle for holding the lagging bars in place it was customary to arrange the same so that the head of the reel held the bars against longitudinal withdrawal, the angle bar serving only to prevent outward radial movement of the bars. In my ar- 5 the stress due to the load was impressed on the rangement it is the angle rim, rather than the headother side of the angle rim. As a result there was a tendency on the part of the load to deform the angle rim. By bolting the rim in place along the side thereof that carries the load, this tendency is eliminated.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved drum construction for cable reels. The drum is formed of sheet metal, either in the form of one continuous sheet bent into cylindrical form or of two or more sections bent into arcuate form and together constituting the cylindrical drum.

In the prior constructions it was always necessary to permanently rigidly secure together the abutting edges of the sheet metal comprising the drum. If this were not done, then if the loaded reel were dropped at an angle, thereby causing a twisting of the reel, .the abutting edges of the sheet metal drum would be twisted in overlapping position. This twisting movement frequently brought about an injury to the cable where the sharp corners of the edge of the drum rubbed. against the cable armor. I overcome these above difliculties by bending the abutting ends of the sheet metal drum inward radially of the drum, thereby preventing any possible overlapping of the portion of the sheet metal abutting edges in contact with the cable.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a reel embodying the principles of my invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the same in partial section;

Figure 3 is a front view of the hub and rim assembly;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is an isometric view of one of the flange rings of the head of the cable reel; and

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the two drum halves.

Reference may now be had more particularly to the preferred embodiment herein shown for illustrative purposes. My improved reel com- 105 prises two head portions indicated at 1 and 2, secured together in spaced relationship by a drum 3. Lagging bars 4 connect the outer ends of the head portions and comprise a closure for the reel. For illustrative purposes the lagging bars 110 have been shown attached to a reel which is not carrying a cable. As is understood by those skilled in the art, these lagging bars are, in practice, attached only after the cable has been wound 5 on the reel, thereby completing the reel for shipment or storage purposes.

The head portions 1 and 2 are of identical construction and each comprises a unitary hub and rim assembly 10, which is shown more particularly in Figure 3, and bolted or otherwise removably secured thereto, an annular flange 11 which is shown more particularly in Figure 5. The drum is made of a number of sections indicated at 12 and 13 and held in place between the hub 15 and rim assembly 10 and the flange ring 11 by the same bolts that secure the hub and rim assembly to the flange ring. The lagging bars are held .in place by a split rim comprising a number of sections, herein illustrated as three, indicated at 15, 16 and 1'7. The sections 15, 16 and 1'7 are made of angle iron bent into arcuate form and bolted or otherwise removably secured to the head portions 1 and 2 in a manner which will be more fully set forth as this description proceeds.

Reference may now be had more particularly toFigures 3 and 4, wherein there is illustrated the hub and rim assembly of my improved reel. The hub comprises a steel plate 20 of a generally 0 square shape with the corners cut away at an angle of about Two channel steel members 21 and 22 are welded to the plate 20 in spaced parallel relationship. Pairs of short channel lengths 23-23 are welded to the plate 20 and 35 extend at right angles to the channel bars 21 and 22. A short channel member 24 is also welded at its web to the plate 20 for reinforcing the channel 24. The member 25 forms a bear ing for the reel for rotatively mounting the same upon asuitable support during the cable reeling U and unreeling operations. The reel support, comprising the hub 20 with the channels and the bearing secured thereto is then placed into a rim 2'7 of steel or the like and of L shaped cross section. The ends of the channels 21, 22 and 23 are then-welded to the rim 2''! to form a rigid unitary structure therewith. Holes 28 are formed in the axially extending flange of the rim 27. These holes are provided for receiv- 0 ing bolts or the like "for holding the assembled reel structure together. These holes are located at the channels 21, 22 and 23 and also equally spaced between the channels 2123 and 22--23.

Reference may now be had more particularly to Figure 5, showing an isometric view of one -of the flange rings 11 of Figure 2. This flange comprises a continuous sheet steel ring 30, having an L shaped steel rim 31 welded thereto along its outer periphery and a similar endless L shaped 0 steel rim 32 welded thereto along its inner periphery.

The plate 30 is reinforced against buckling by radially extending reinforcing ribs 33. The .reinforcing ribs 33' are made of steel and are of L or channel-shaped cross section. It is to benoted tively. The inner diameter of the annulus 11 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the hub and rim assembly shown in Figure 3 whereby the drum portions 12 and 13 (Figure 2) may be disposed between the hub and rim assembly and the flange comprising the plate 30. The inner rim member 32 is provided with bolt holes 38 mating with the holes 28 in the rim 27 of the hub and rim assembly shownin Figure 3.

Reference may now be had more particularly to Figure 6 showing the drum for my cable reel. The drum is here shown as made up of two similar sheet steel sections 40 and 41 although itis to be understood that a greater number of sections may be used if desired. Each section is bent into the form of a semit-circle with the ends thereof lapped over as indicated at 4243. The bent back portions 42-43 extend for almost the full length of the sheet metal member 40, being cut away at the end, as indicated at 44, for a distance approximately equal to the width of the outwardly extending flange portion of the rim 2'1 (Figure .3).

4 Holes are formed in the bent in portions 42 and 43, as indicated at 45. Rivets 46 are passed through the holes in the lapped portion 43 and are welded in place so as to constitute studs extending outwardly of the bent in portion. These rivets are adapted to cooperate with the holes in the bent in portion 42 of the abutting drum member A number of holes 47 are formed along the outer peripheries of the drum members 40 and 41, said holes being spaced to cooperate with the holes 28 in the hub and rim assembly shown in Figure 3.

An explanation will now be given of the manner of assembling my improved cable reel. The two drum sections 40 and 41 are placed over the hub and rim assembly shown in Figure 3 with the holes 47 of the drum in register with the corresponding holes 28 of the hub and rim assembly and with the studs 46 which project outwardly from the bent in portion 43 extending into the corresponding holes 45 of the abutting bent back portion 42 of the adjacent drum section. These rivet studs merely rest in the holes in the portion 42, they are not riveted -'or otherwise secured therein. These rivets are only secured within the holes in the member 43. The rivets 46 thereby hold the two sections 404l against relative movement. The angular ring sections 11 and 12 are then inserted in place, the assembly being made with the L shaped flanges and with the flanges of the channel member extending outwardly, as may be seen from Figures 1 and 2. Bolts 50 are then extended through the corresponding holes 38 of the flange 11, the holes 47 of the drum, and the holes 23 in the rim of the hub and rim assembly. The bolts are then secured in position by suitable nuts which are drawn tight, thereby producing a rigid reel assembly.

It is to be noted that the bent in portions 4243 v of the drum sections constitute a longitudinally extending flange on the inside of the drum. Where the drum is made of two sections there are two such flanges. Where the drum is made of a greater number of sections there are a correspondingly greater number of flanges. These flanges constitute a reinforcement for the drum reinforcing the same against inward collapse due to the weight of the cable wound thereon. The greater the number of such reinforcing flanges the greater will be the reinforcing effect. There is another and verydistinct advantage in providing these flanges entirely apart from their re- 150 inforcing function. An appreciation of this advantage may be had by considering the prior art constructions. It has been the custom to provide an arrangement wherein the abutting edges of the cable drum make either lap or butt contact. When the reel is new this arrangement is, in a way, satisfactory. Consider what happens when the reel is subject to hard usage. It frequently happens that a loaded reel is dropped for a short distance as it is being removed from the truck or other conveyance which transported it to the location where the cable is to be installed. The weight of a reel with a cable thereon may exceed eight tons. If, during the removal of such a reel from a truck it should happen that one end of the reel comes off of the planks on which it is being rolled from the truck that end will receive a severe blow. Under such circumstances it has frequently happened in the past that the reel is twisted out of shape. If the drum is not provided with abutting flanges such as indicated at 42-43 then the abutting edges of the drum may, and frequently do, shift along one another. This movement frequently produces serious damage to the armor of the portion of the cab e lying over the abutting edges of the drum sections. In my improved construction there can be no relative shifting of the abutting edges of the drum first because of the presence of the studs 46 and second of the abutting flanges 42-43.

An explanation will now be given of the manner of attaching the lagging bars 4 to the cable reel. The lagging bars may be considered as divided into three groups, one group being held in place by the angle iron members 1515 upon the two heads of the reel, the other group being held in place by the angle members 16-16 and the third group being held in place by the angle members 171'7. The three groups are identical. An explanation will be given of the manner of securing the lagging bars that are held in place by the angle members 1515, this explanation being likewise applicable to the manner of securing the lagging bars that are held in place by the other angle members. One lagging bar having bolt holes at its opposite ends is laid across the heads of the reel so that one edge thereof lies upon the angle member 31 upon the head 1 and the other edge thereof lies upon the corresponding angle member of the head 2. The angle member 15 is placed over this lagging bar and a bolt 60 is passed through a hole in the angle member, a hole in the lag, and a hole in the angle member 31. The bolt is then held in position by means of a nut 61. The other end of the same lagging bar is then secured in position in the same manner. The other lagging bars are inserted in place in the groove defined by the angle mem ber 31 and the angle member 15. The angle member 15 is then rigidly secured in place by the bolt 60 and the nut 61. Such bolts are placed at the ends of the angle member 15 and, if desired, additional bolts may be placed intermediate the ends thereof. As shown in the drawings four bolts such as indicated at 60 are used for each of the rim sections 15, 16 and 1'7. It is however to be understood that a greater or lesser number may be used if desired. The lagging bars through which the bolts 60 extend are provided with enlarged holes for receiving the bolts. The intermediate lagging bars need not be provided with any bolt holes whatsoever. These constitute the majority of the lagging bars.

The side 62 of the L shaped rim portion 15 lar relation to the side 63.

holds the end of the lagging bar against upward withdrawal. The side 63 of this same angle member holds the lagging bar against withdrawal in a direction longitudinally of the drum.- It is further to be noted that the bolts 60 that hold the lagging bars in place extend radially of the cable reel. Whatever weight is placed upon the lagging bars by the cable that is wound on the reel will tend to move the bars outward radially of the reel and must be resisted by the side 62 of the angle members 15, 16, and 17. through that side of the angle member and thereby prevent outward flexing of the angle member under the load imposed thereon through the lagging bars. If the angle members 15, 16, and 17 were secured in place. by bolts passing through their radial side 63 then any stress that is placed upon the angle member by the lagging bars bearing against the side 62 of the angle members would tend to bend the side 62 out of right angu- This tendency is eliminated in my arrangement by reason of the fact that the mounting bolts that mount the angle members 15, 16, and 17 in place extend through that side of the angle member upon which the load is impressed.

It is to be noted that by far the larger number of lagging bars do not have bolts such as the bolts 60 extending therethrough. Those lagging bars are therefore not provided with bolt holes and comprise merely an ordinary bar of wood without any special holes or locking lugs formed therewith for holding it in place. Those lagging bars that do have holes formed therein for the reception of the bolts 60 may also be used in place of the other bars where necessary. The holes formed in the lagging bars are of an enlarged diameter in comparison with the diameter of the shank of the bolt 60, being oblong parallel to the length of the lagging. This is provided in order to permit the ready bolting of the lagging bars in place upon the cable reel even though the cable reel may have been twisted or distorted from its true shape while in use. By this arrangement the bolts will still fit through the lagging bars even though parts of the head portions have been twisted or bent out of shape by amounts which might exceed two inches. Those lagging bars that are provided with the bolt holes are painted a distinct color, or are provided with other means whereby they may be readily distinguished from the remaining bars to facilitate the assembly of the same onto the reel:

It is to be noted that the hub or center portion of my cable reel is open at its ends after the reel has been assembled. This permits the ready.

use of this reel in connection with oil filled cables that are shipped full of oil and have an expansible and contractible reservoir or sylphon attached thereto. Such a reservoir or sylphon may be readily mounted in the space between the channel members 21 and 23 or between thechannel members 22 and 23. A closure plate may thereafter be provided if desired. Such a closure plate is not herein shown. It is intended to indicate that the sides of the hub and rim assembly of Figure 3 are open and can remain open even after a cable has been wound upon the reel whereby it is then possible to mount the.

sylphon in place. If the construction were such as to involve a closed hub and rim assembly prior to the mounting'of the cable upon the reel then difliculty might be encountered in mounting the sylphon in place.

The bolts 60 pass To remove the cable from the reel it is merely necessary to loosen the bolts 60 that hold the J rim members 15, 16, and 17 in place and thereafter remove the lagging bars.

After the cable has been removed from the reel the reel may be readily disassembled by merely removing the bolts These are standard structural steel materials and because of the fact that they are standard they may be obtained on short notice and at low cost.

It is further to be noted that my improved cable reel may be readily fabricated from the standard structural parts without requiring the use of special, and expensive tools or dies.

In compliance with the requirement of the patent statutes I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention. It is however to be understood that the inventionis not limited to the precise' construction and arrangement herein shownrthe same being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. What I consider new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

' 1. In a reel, a head member comprising a flat annular shaped plate having outwardly extending flanges along its inner and outer periphery, radial reinforcing flanges secured to the plate and extending between the inner and outer peripheral flanges, a hub and rim assembly including a flanged rim, a drum, said hub and rim assembly being disposed within the plate with the drum disposed between the rim and the inner peripheral flange of the plate, bolts'extending through said inner flange and the drum and the rim for securing the assembly together, and a removable sectional angle iron member secured to the outer peripheral flange of the head member and spaced therefrom for receiving and holding closure lags on the reel.

2. In a reel, a drum and a pair of spaced heads, elements extending between said heads and supported thereon, and means common to a plurality of said elements for holding them in position,

- said means extending around at least a portion of the periphery of the reel and designed to be detachably secured to certain spaced ones of said elements and including a flange lying against the edges of the other elements and holding them against outward movement.

3. In a reel,-a drum, heads spaced thereon, lags extending between the heads, and means for holding the lags in place, said means comprising a plurality of angle iron strips arranged along the periphery of at least one of the heads with one portion of the angle extending radially of the head and bearing against the lags to hold the lags against longitudinal movement and the other portion of the angle overlying the lags to hold them against outward withdrawal.

4. In a reel, a drum, heads spaced thereon, lags extending between the heads, and means on at least one of the heads for holding the lags in place, said means comprising a plurality of arcuate shaped angle bars extending around the outer periphery of the head and bolted thereto by bolts passing through certain of the lags and extending radially of the head whereby the bolts sustain the load in tension.

5. A cable reel including a drum supported between a pair of heads, each head comprising a ring having an inner peripheral flange, and

a support having a hub and a number of spokes between and terminating at the flanges.

' 7. A cable reel including a head portion comprising an annular ring having outwardly directed circumferential flanges along its inner and outer edges comprising angle members secured to the inner and outer peripheries of the ring on the side facing outwardly of the reel, a drum secured to the inner circumferential flange, andlagging bars secured to the outer flange.

8. A cable reel having a huband rimassembly comprising a hub plate, a pair of structural steel members welded thereto in spaced parallel relation and extending outwardly therefrom each for substantially the full diameter of the assembly, additional structural steel members welded to the hub plate and extending outwardly of the outer ones of the two first mentioned structural members, and 'an endless rim welded to the outer ends of the structural members.

9. A reel comprising a pair of heads, a drum between said heads, an angle member secured to the outer periphery of one head and having an axially outwardly extending portion, lagging bars extending between said heads and forming a closure for the space between the drum and the outer peripheries of said heads, saidv lagging resting on said outwardly extending portion of said angle member, a member overlying the edge of said lagging and secured to the outwardly extending portion of the angle member, and means for holding the lagging against axial sliding com; prising aflange lyingagainst the edges of said elements and constituting an integral part of one of said members. 10. A cable reel including a drum supported between a pair of separable heads, each head comprising a metal'ring having an outwardly facing flange at its inner periphery,'the drum being bolted to said flanges, one of said heads having an outwardly facing flange strip at its outer periphery, lagging bars between the heads at their outer periphery, a metal strip overlying the lagging. bars at the end thereof and bolted to said flange strip, and a radially extending flange lying against the edges of said lagging bars and holding them against outward movement, said radially extending flange being integralwith one of said strips.

11. A cable reel including-a drum supported between a pair of separable head's, each head heads having an outwardly facing flange strip at its outer periphery, lagging bars between the heads at their outer periphery, a metal strip between a pair of separable heads, each head having an outwardly facing flange at its inner periphery, the drum being bolted to said flanges,

at least one of said heads having an outwardly facing flange at its outer periphery, lagging bars between the heads at their outer periphery, a

metal strip overlying the lagging bars at the ends thereof and bolted to said last mentioned flange, and a radially extending flange lying against the edges of said lagging bars and holding them against outward movement.

LEO W. NACK. 

